An aerial "Bird's-Eye" view of Newton, NJ, circa 1904, (hand colored)
Vintage
Historic Photos of Newton, New Jersey
An aerial "Bird's-Eye" view of Newton, NJ, circa 1904,
(hand colored)
The oldest section of Historic Cochran House in Newton New Jersey was built in
1831,
this photo of circa 1925 shows later additions. (hand
colored) Demolished in 1961.
 Cochran House Dining Room, circa 1930 |
 Cochran House Kitchen, circa 1930 |
Sussex County Court House, Newton, New Jersey, photo circa 1904 (hand colored), Courthouse built in 1847
Main Street in Downtown
Business area, Newton, New Jersey, circa 1914
Bank building on left edge followed by a hardware store-has "Hardware" on canopy edge & tools on sidewalk,
there is an "Ice Cream" sign further up the street and a sign with "New Jersey Herald" visible
beyond
At the conclusion of World War I, Newton hosted a Parade honoring Sussex County Veterans
A Historic Walk Down Spring Street
Downtown Business area of Spring Street, Newton,
NJ, circa
1920 (hand colored)
Spring Street, circa 1920. See the
"Drugs" sign at right? Let's go inside!
Allinson and Hendershot Pharmacists,
Drug Store, 161 Spring Street, Newton NJ, circa 1908
We have Remedies, Potions, Salves, Cosmetics, Fine Candy and a Soda Fountain.
Please stop by and mention you saw us on this website.
| This page is a community service of First Baptist Church of Newton, NJ. Our Church was organized in 1835 by Sussex County residents who desired to meet together for worship and the study of God's Word. Our first building was constructed in 1847. A new Sanctuary replaced the first in 1911, many additions and renovations have also been made in recent years. During all the time spanned by these old historical photos, First Baptist has had an involvement in the community life of the area and a spiritual impact in the lives of it's people. Now, over 170 years later, that spiritual impact is as vital as ever. |
History of
early Newton
-
| The town of Newton is situated a little south of the center of Sussex County, lying in the
valley between the Walkill Mountains on the east and the Kittatinny on the west. Near Newton rises the Paulinskill. The
elevation is 645 feet. Who the first settler was is a debatable question, but it is
stated that the first white men settled on what is High Street. However,
in 1761, the only dwelling in the limits of present Newton was the one occupied by Henry Hairlocker, a native of Holland. Certain it is that
prior to 1765, there was but one house at or near the location of the present town. The erection of the
courthouse and jail-by order of the Colonial Governor caused the erection of a number of houses, almost an
of which were built around the site of the present-day park. The scenery
round about is indeed charming; the air is clear and dry, and magnificent
mountains, valleys and lakes enclose it on all sides. The act authorizing the erection of a
Courthouse in Sussex County in 1761 required it to be built within a half mile of the house of Henry
Hairlocker. Hence the county building stands where we find it today. At that time the space in front of the
courthouse. since known as the "Green" was covered with heavy timber. The "Historical Collection of
New Jersey" declares that Henry Hairlocker located here in 1750 and was a Hollander by birth. A heavy landowner
in the area was Jonathan
Hampton. He made a donation of land in 1764, upon which the court house was erected; also he conveyed land to the village for an academy
and for a Church site. During the Indian troubles he was commissioner of supplies, in 1755. While he never resided in Newton.
his interests seemed largely centered here. The first settler (Hairlocker) received the first license to keep a public house in Newton. Thomas Wolverton was granted license in 1753, but his Inn was not within the present incorporated Newton, but nearby. John McCollum was an early settler and very prominent. He served as a member of the County Committee of Safety in 1775. He was also a member of the Legislature in 1778, "serving that body with great acceptance. He was a man of primitive habits and is still remembered as one of the odd, plain and important citizens of the Kingdom of Sussex." He went on foot, staff in hand, to "Trent's Town" [Trenton], the capital, with knapsack on his back, his wardrobe in a bundle, and carrying provisions to sustain him on his journey. When the session was ended he returned home and followed his fanning occupation. He was judge of the county court in 1777, and some of his descendants still live in this part of the country. Other pioneers to invade this part of Sussex County were: Thomas Armstrong. David Ryerson, Charles Pemberton. Jonathan Willis, Charles Beardslee, Isaac Basset, William Saussman. David Saussman, both Germans, the Warbasse families, David Kerr, Henry Johnson, John T. Smith. the McCarter family, and Uzal C. Haggerty. Among the first merchants in Newton, recalled by files and directories were Holmes. Pemberton, and Stewart, all in trade in 1800. The stand was later occupied by David Ryerson and Garret Rosenkrans. In 1820 there appear to have only been six stores in Newton village. The only change in the area of the town of Newton since its original formation was in 1869. when some of its territory was cut off. The courthouse and jail were burned in 1847, but rebuilt. Without entering into details concerning the many town and village officers for Newton it may be said that the 1926-27 local officers are: Chairman of town committee, Frank H. Nichols; clerk. J. R Cornell town committee, Frank H. Nichols. Charles E. Steele. Raymond S. Huff; chief of fire department, George R. Eagles; treasurer. M. F. Goldsmith; there are now one day policeman and one night policeman in Newton. The water works arc owned by the town and light, heat. and power are obtained from the New Jersey Power & Light Company. The park is the "green" opposite the courthouse and jail, about one city block in size. The fraternal societies include these: Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Royal Areanum, Moose, Red Men and Daughters of the Revolution. There is a Board of Trade, the Sussex County Historical Society, the Newton Tennis Club, Young Men's Christian Association, Newton Club and other, popular societies. From a History written in 1926 |
FIRST
BAPTIST CHURCH
110
Main Street - Newton, NJ 07860 - tel# 973-383-9757
Return to Main Page